Yes, that was the time when I was just a little kid wandering in a wide vast field.

Just like starting anew in anything, my clueless personality made all the moves for me.

All I had to hold on was my mustard dream of financial freedom and the belief that stock investing can be a path for that dream. I managed to cut the chase, and applied for an account.

Philstocks was my first online broker, precisely because they required only 5000 initial deposit to actually start trading. (But now I discovered that you can start opening your trading account just by opening a bank account, like in the case of brokers BPI Trade and FirstMetroSec).

Minimum investment required was 5000, but I put down 10k just to put a front that I have more than that WHAHA. The lady in charge gracefully accepted it after examining my forms, then handed me a receipt, which was also the highest-valued receipt I received ever since.

With my humble 10k initial investment, I was too excited to buy a company share and brand myself a part-owner of a giant company. Hard-core traders would laugh on me for that, but I was already more than happy just giving it a try. 🙂

My First Buy in Philippine Stock Market

The moment I received my online trading account details via an email, I made my first buy order.

Buying something you cannot touch

I actually got the hint of buying MEG from a professor who’s teaching in our board exam review. He was also one of those angels sent down from heaven who introduced stock investing to me. Recollecting, when the class becomes bored with chemical principles and unit operations stuff, he would start cracking some jokes, and then afterwards would invite us to try investing. He advised us to experiment with MEG. His jokes served its purpose, (he’s actually the first to laugh out even before delivering the punchline!), but I got more curious and gravitated to his stocks stories.

I knew very little back then, I was not even aware that MEG is a real estate developer company. Haha. Whenever I heard of that, Sharon Cuneta entered my mind, you know, the local MEGastar. Booboo!

But who cares? When I posted it online, my computer screen didn’t ask me anyway!

And when it got matched, my heart jumped with joy. I went back to work, but I smilingly secretly applauded myself.

Deep inside I was telling myself “omeng, you hardy spend 500 pesos for a purchase, and here you are spending 3.7k for something you can’t even touch!” Whaha!

My First Taste of Gain

That was August 31 2010, a different Tuesday for me.

Two days after, I checked my account online, and BANG! I saw little profits sneaking out!

Just a few hundred bucks actually, but what really amazed me was the idea of earning without working.

I imagined and contemplated – “so this is it!” I was starting to count the chickens.

Too excited for my first ever profit, I posted a sell off-hour (after trading hours) order at 2.05 per share that afternoon, and was hit the next morning.

I did the math, ‘twas more than 200 pesos gain just for three days. Hmm, not bad.

I don’t think I can spot the same by whole-day roaming along the busy streets of Metro Manila.

I just keep learning

Fast-forward, after few years, now I’m still learning, and… earning.

The years that passed has also turned my investment into millions.

Of course I am also seeing losses in my portfolio. And it breaks my pocket heart seeing red marks in it. But as with any strong-spirited baby would reason out, those are only paper losses to be realized only if I actually sell. My money there need not be taken out soon so I’ll just keep it that way while I’m still figuring out the next right thing to do. By doing so, I’m also aware that I waste other opportunities present out there which could make my money work more productively.

Such a long way to go!

But surely with each new experience every trading day, time will come when my ego would not be that costly anymore. In the meantime, I’ll just let my money be carried away by the constant market waves, and catch the fishes it brings back from time to time.

hi Sir, I would like to know how you registered at COL Financial? Do you submit your documents personally? In my case po kasi, I do have a work, and I cannot commit to have my leave just to submit the documents required. Thanks alot

Hi Jenwel, COL Financial’s ,messenger can come to your office if it’s just within Metro Manila. call them and set a schedule for application doc pick up.
Download forms is available here – http://smartpinoyinvestor.com/forms

Hello,
i would like to asked some questions and financial advises if it’s okay. i want to invest in COL Financial but i dont have any background about stocks nor investments. hence, i am confuse if i will push through or not.

Not sure if this page is still active, just hoping…. i’m interested in stock investing as a long term business. by now, i’m still studying stock trading for at least 6 months. i just have questions, if we trade, will there be possibility that we won’t be matched, i mean, we won’t be able to trade our buy/sell order? and, how many hours/days will it take before our buy/sell takes effect? does number of shares purchased affect the number of hours/days it takes to find a match in our order? thanks in advance…

If you’re new to
personal finance and investing, you’ll want to know that this blog is
written to help you achieve your financial goals. You can can start on this page, orcontact me via email if you have specific questions. Enjoy learning & earning!Omeng Tawid |

If you’re new to
personal finance and investing, you’ll want to know that this blog is
written to help you achieve your financial goals. You can can start on this page, orcontact me via email if you have specific questions. Enjoy learning & earning!Omeng Tawid |

Disclaimer: The information contained in this site are not intended as financial advice. Readers should be aware that investments in securities, such as stocks or other financial instruments, involve risks. Loss of capital is a possibility. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Please consider your investor profile as you decide on the fund to invest in.